The world of horror cinema is increasingly finding its delightfully twisted roots in classic children’s stories, and director Rhys Frake-Waterfield is leading the charge. Following the blockbuster success of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, which proved that audiences crave dark fairy tale mayhem, a new cinematic universe has sprung up—a collection of horror films inspired by beloved tales like Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, Bambi: The Reckoning, and Pinocchio Unstrung.
Leading this expanded franchise is the highly anticipated theatrical release of Pinocchio Unstrung, set to hit North American screens on Star Wars and Harry Potter, ensuring the film’s gore has a tangible, handmade quality.
The cast brings a formidable lineup, featuring talented actors alongside horror veterans. Robert Englund, famous for his iconic role in A Nightmare on Elm Street, joins the ensemble alongside Rob Zombie, who plays Richard Brake. They are joined by Cameron Bell, Jessica Balmer, Jack Art Gray, and Peter De Souza-Feighoney.
The heart of the film’s unique tone comes from the practical effects team. Todd Masters of MastersFx, who previously worked on the Child’s Play remake, managed the animatronics and puppetry, ensuring that Pinocchio’s transformation is handled with incredible detail. As Richard Brake noted about the production, the result is a wild ride: “Not only is the script dark, twisted and gory, it’s also at times very funny. Todd Masters and his team have created incredible practical effects. Audiences are in for a crazy ride.”
Director Frake-Waterfield emphasized that the film challenges traditional expectations: “Our movie flips everything you know about Pinocchio on its head. We are heavily relying on practical effects for all of the deaths and creature work,” he stated, expressing excitement for the world to meet this gruesome iteration of a beloved character.
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Credit: JoBlo
